At MINExpo at the end of September, in Las Vegas, Metso was presented with an award by Freeport-McMoRan Inc for the long-term partnership between both companies. “Your long-time support of Freeport-McMoRan has been a cornerstone of our success. Most recently, your highly motivated team has partnered with us as we weather the difficult cycle that brought copper prices to near six-year lows. Thanks to this team effort, both our companies have worked to reduce costs, gain efficiencies and remain competitive. I am confident in the long-term future of commodities and our industry. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership and moving ahead together,” read a message from Freeport-McMoRan President and CEO, Richard C. Adkerson.

“Freeport identified a select number of key partners who have been working hand in hand with us over the last several years on productivity, costs and efficiency initiatives. Metso has been a valued partner of ours, and we are very pleased to present this award recognizing their ongoing contribution to Freeport’s success story in these areas, and in the area of innovation,” says Rick Coleman, President, Freeport-McMoRan Mining Co. “Both companies can be proud of the accomplishments achieved together.”

The award design, a copper scroll, depicts Freeport’s Morenci mine – the largest copper operation in North America where Metso and Freeport closely collaborated to provide Metso’s HRC^(TM) 3000, the largest fully operating high-pressure grinding roll in the world.

“Freeport and Metso have a long, storied history of capturing opportunities of mutual benefit to our organizations,” says Terry J. Wilkins, Senior Vice President, Market Areas USA & Canada, Metso. “Metso HRC 3000 high-pressure grinding roll is one good example of our joint achievements. The innovative concept was developed together to reduce energy consumption and generate savings.

“We are proud of the partnership we have built over the years, honoured to receive this award, and look forward to what the future holds.”

The picture shows Rick Coleman (Freeport-McMoRan), João Ney Colagrossi (Metso), and Terry J. Wilkins (Metso) accept copper scroll in recognition of long-term strategic partnership at MINExpo International® 2016